The role of the chief supply chain officer (CSCO) has become more vital than ever, as companies stare down a barrage of geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty in 2025.

According to a survey from leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder of 68 CSCOs, 72% said that cost pressure is their top challenge this year, followed by evolving consumer demands at 46%. And, as President Donald Trump has courted trade wars with China, Mexico, Canada and the European Union, the vast majority of supply chain leaders are struggling to figure out what that might mean for their respective businesses, with only 15% saying they feel "moderately prepared" for the coming impacts of tariffs. That was further reflected in the fact that 41% of CSCOs said that they need the most help developing new capabilities to anticipate and adapt for future trends.

"The perfect storm facing the supply chain presents both a formidable threat and a unique opportunity," the report reads. "While it tests some companies, it empowers others to rise above."

To manage that, 40% said that their top priority for the coming year is operational efficiency, with 50% saying that it consumes more time than any other task, followed by meeting board and shareholder expectations (35%) and driving cultural change (29%). 

CSCOs also described several strategies they've implemented to prepare themselves for a year of uncertainty, by enabling senior leaders to learn from "digitally native" junior employees as part of a "reverse mentoring" strategy, and partnering with universities to develop leadership programs covering geopolitics, technology and climate change.